Hon House Chairperson, Deputy President, hon members and honoured guests, the Department of Human Settlements hereby tables the Rental Housing Amendment Bill, Bill 21 of 2011, before Parliament in the National Assembly, in terms of section 76 of the Constitution. The Bill is classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism as a section 76 Bill and has been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements for consideration and report. The Bill seeks to address specific issues, including the establishment of rental housing tribunals, which are mandatory in every province.
Having considered the objectives of the content of the Bill, the portfolio committee embarked on extensive deliberations and consideration of the public submissions and reached consensus that there was a great need to propose further amendments to the Act, which would be incorporated into the proposed Bill.
The amendments will make the Act more accessible to all citizens and it will respond broadly to the challenges faced in the rental housing sector, thereby ensuring a better life for all. Therefore, the committee recommends that the House grant permission in terms of the National Assembly Rule 249(3)(b) for it to make consequential amendments to the Rental Housing Act, Act 50 of 1999. It is also worth noting that the proposed amendments will not affect the tagging of the Bill. The committee's proposals have been communicated to the responsible executive authority. We request the consideration of the Report. I thank you. [Applause.] There was no debate.
Hon House Chair, hon Deputy President, I move:
That the Report be adopted.
Motion agreed to.
Report accordingly adopted.